Blake Nolan 2012 Oceanias held in Cairns

Blake left on the 21st April to fly to Cairns with the Australian NTID team for an elite camp under the coaching and guidence of Dennis Iverson, Kerrye Katz and John Bennett where they stayed at Yorkeys Knob.

Chris, Ray and Gayle left on the Friday and after a great flight arrived at their accommodation at the Cairns Queenslander apartments.
We didn't see Blake on the Friday, but on the Saturday when he arrived at the Shangrila hotel we were waiting for him to get off the bus. The Saturday night the four of us had dinner together and a catch-up.

Sunday and the big competition day.
Blake looked great, he was focused and ready to compete. Chris took him up to into the stands and warmed him up.
A quick phone call and message to the Yuukan members back home as they were sitting around their computer waiting with EVERYONE else in Australia watching the live streaming. 

Blake was the 4th fight once Cadets had started, and he was up against the New Zealender, he walked onto the mat, and was looking strong and confident, he then threw him with a nice clean ippon, He then was up against the boy from Guam and again he came on looking strong and ready and again threw him wit a nice ippon for the win.
His next fight and the gold medal match was against a Queenslander, Sam King, who he competes against regularily, Blake again looked strong and he was focused, Blake was attacking and doing a great job, but just as Blake started to throw Sam he turned onto Blake and did a lovely ippon as he countered him.

It was a fantastic day, and we are so very proud of him. Blake took home a well earned Silver Medal. 



For ALL the results of 2012 Oceania Championships

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